Method and apparatus for flushing oil passages in engine blocks

ABSTRACT

METHOD AND APPARATUUS FOR PRESENTING HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING AND FLUSH THEM. THE METHODS INCLUDES INTRODUCING A CLEAN AND FLUSH THEM. THE METHOD INCLUDES INTRODUCING A FLOW OF CLEANING FLUID INTO THE OIL GALLERIES, PLUGGING AT LEAST SOME OF THE OIL PASSING OPENINGS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF THE BLOCK AND AGAIN INTRODUCING CLEANING FLUID INTO THE OIL GALLERIES.

y 8,1974 G. auc ion I 3,813,299

METHOD AND APPARATUS Foxi FLusHIkG OIL PASSAGE'S IN ENGINE BLOCKS Filed March 22, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L i Z 4P- G. H. BUGOR May 28, 1974 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING OIL PASSAGES IN ENGINE BLOCKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1972 May 28, 1974 BUGQR 3,813299 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING 011. PASSAGES IN ENGINE BLOCKS Filed March 22, 1972 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 New 7Y5 Z7776 7' @2 67 aw McOa/gdj/by/l 6'0 21. 22

U.S."Cl.' 134-24 11 Claims ABSTRACT THE DISCLOSURE Method and apparatus for presenting high pressure cleaning liquid to the oil passages of an engine block to clean and flush themp-The method includes introducing a flow of cleaning fluid into the oil galleries, plugging at least some of the oil passage openings in the front and rear portions of the block and again introducing cleaning fluid into the oil galleries.

BACKGROUND 1 This invention is concerned with the need for rinsing andflushing outthe oil passages in engine blocks, particularly automotive and truck engine blocks, following the machining operations'which have taken place during manufacture of the blocks. Various cylinder block washers or flushers have been used in the past although none have been found which successfully clean or flush the oil passages. Dirt, metal particles and sludge left in the'oil passages during manufactureoften result in scored bearings and resultant engine failure. Prior art devices have approached this problem by pumping flush water into the block at relatively low flow" rates. One prior art apparatus utilizes elongated pipes whichjare positioned lengthwise over the block under abonnet. The pipes have small holes along their length and a spray of rinsing or flushing water flows out of these holes and into the block. However, this has not been found completely effective in cleaning out the oil passages. As previously noted, if particles, particularly metal particles, are left in these passages they tend to mi grate to the main bearing area, when the engine is fully assembled and placed in operation, causing scoring of those bearings.

It is then an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for effectively rinsing and flushing the oil passages of engine blocks. Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for presenting high pressure cleaning liquid through the oil passages, following the path normally used to convey oil for lubricating the engine. Systematic blocking of certain openings of these passages permitsforeign particles to be removed from the engine block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the oil system galleries or oil passages in an engine block of the V-8 type.

FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary plan view of an apparatus according to this invention...

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic elevation view of other portions of theapparatus according to this invention. z 1

.FIG. 4 is.a fragmentary plan view-of :a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. I

FIG. Sis a fragmentary elevation taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2. j

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. I is a fragmentary elevation taken along line 77 ofF1G.2. Q

FIG. 8 is a partial showing of. the structure of FIG. 3 wherein portions ofthe apparatus are inserted into an engine block. in i 3,813,299 Patented May 28, 1974 FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control arrangement utilized in operating the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 through 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In general, the method contemplated by this invention for flushing the oil passages of an engine block may briefly be described as follows. Flush water, which will preferably consist of a mixture of water, rust inhibitor and detergent, is introduced under pressure, for example p.s.i. into both oil galleries of the block through the tappet openings thereof and allowed to flow for a fixed period of time, such as about 10 seconds to about one minute or so. Then some of the passage openings at each end of the block are plugged. Flush water is again pumped through the oil galleries under pressure for a fixed period of time. Then, more openings are plugged and water is again pumped through the oil galleries. Experience with the use of this method shows that substantially all particles, dirt and the like are pushed through the passages and out of the block in this manner.

More specifically, with reference to FIG. 1, the method may be accomplished as follows: Rinse water is introduced into oil galleries 10 by introducing it simultaneously through all the tappet holes 12. Flushing is allowed to continue for a period of approximately 10 seconds at a pumping pressure of about 150 p.s.i. Following this, the oil passage ways are plugged at 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22, in front and rear gallery openings and the rear cross-over openings, respectively, as indicated in FIG. 1. Second step flushing is then initiated again for a period of about 10 seconds at a pressure of approximately 150 p.s.i. Subsequently, the front access hole 24 is plugged and a by-pass means 26 indicated by the dotted line is installed at the oil pump pad area of the block to provide a flow of flushing liquid as indicated by the arrows. Then the step three flush is initiated, again for about 10 seconds at a pressure of ap proximately 150 p.s.i. Finally, the main bearing openings 28 are plugged. This may be conveniently accomplished as will be discussed later in detail by inserting a tight fitting bar lengthwise through the block crank bore hole thus blocking all passages 28 simultaneously and forcing flush liquid through the main bearing oil holes which lead to the cam shaft bearing area of the block. This last flush step may also be accompjlished for ten seconds at approximately 150 p.s.i.

The above method may be accomplished conveniently for V-8 engines, even though manually, by providing a pair of water pumping lines each of which has a plurality of mandrels extending therefrom. For example, with a V-8 engine of the type shown in FIG. 1, each Water line will include 8 mandrels adapted for insertion into the tappet holes of the block all at one time. A box-like lid is provided for placing over the engine block following insertion of the mandrels into the tappet holes. Then the flush water is turned on. Following the first flush, the first plugging operation takes place followed by the second flushing step and so on to manually flush out the block. The rinse water may be filtered and recirculated for reuse.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 9, an automatic apparatus for performing the above described method is described in detail. Generally speaking, the apparatus will include a conveyor means 30 which carries an engine block 32 into an enclosure formed by two side walls 34 and 36, wherein the block is stopped for the performance of the flushing method. The conveyor is designed to stop each block in a predetermined position with respect to side Walls 34 and 36. To insure proper positioning of the engine block, two air pads 38 must be sealed off by the engine block before nozzles will be activated. A set of locator pins are also utilized in connection with the nozzles to fit into location pin holes in the bottom of the block for further certainty in positioning. As is typical in such production line locators, a pressure switch is arranged to indicate and/ or initiate sequential operation of an automated control system when air holes 38 are blocked indicating proper positioning of an engine block between walls 34 and 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the front end of the block, i.e., that portion of the block containing openings 22 and 24, faces wall 36; the rear end of the block, i.e., that portion of the block containing openings 14, 16, 18 and 20, faces wall 34. Wall 34 carries a plugging mechanism 40 which is positioned on the wall as shown in FIG.

and movably mounted as indicated in FIG. 2 for inward movement by a hydraulic actuator cylinder mechanism 42. Thus, plugging mechanism 40 may be moved toward block 32 for plugging certain openings in the oil passages. Specifically, mechanism 40 carries two rubber plugs 44 and 46 which are positioned to plug openings 18 and 20, shown in -FIG. 1, when mechanism 40 is moved inwardly to engage the block by hydraulic cylinder mechanism 42.

Wall 34 also carries a large elongated bar like cylindrical mandrel 4.8 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The length of the mandrel 48 is selected so as to be long enough to be inserted through the main bearing opening of the block. Mandrel 48 is preferably made of brass and is movably carried by wall 34 in the same manner as is plugging mechanism 40 so that the mandrel 48 may be moved inwardly by a hydraulic actuator mechanism 50 to be inserted through the main bearing area of the block for simultaneously blocking all of the openings 28 shown in FIG. 1.

Front wall 36 also has several movable plugging mechanisms associated therewith, which are adapted by means of hydraulic actuated cylinders for movement to engage portions of the oil passage openings in a similar manner to the plugging mechanisms carried by rear wall 34. The plugging mechanisms associated with front wall 36 are best shown in FIG. 7. The first plugging mechanism 52 is carried by the wall and is positioned to plug opening 22 when extended inwardly to the block 32 by an actuator mechanism 53. Another plugging mechanism generally indicated at 54 and another generally indicated at 56 are associated with the forward wall but are not carried directly by it. These mechanisms are angularly positioned relative to the wall and the block in order to engage other portions of the oil passages as follows. 'Plug mechanism 56 is positioned to close opening 24, which is shown in FIG. 1, by means of hydraulic cylinder actuator mechanism 58. Plugging mechanism 54 is also hydraulically actuated and movable by a hydraulic cylinder actuator mechanism 60. Plug mechanism 54 is designed to provide the by-pass arrangement 26 discussed hereinabove in connection with FIG. 1 and the method of this invention. The end portion of mechanism 54 therefore engages openings 26a and 26b as indicated schematically in FIG. 1 to provide by-pass flow in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Other features of the apparatus according to this invention are best described in connection with FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, specifically. Referring first to FIG. 3, the front portion of an engine block 32 is shown on conveyor 30 prop erly positioned behind wall 36 (not shown) for initiation of the flushing action. FIG. 3 shows a pair of manifold water injection mandrel or nozzle assemblies generally indicated at 62 and 64, two being required in the case of a V-8 type engine block as shown. Each of these assemblies are mounted above block 32 and include as can be best seen with reference to FIG. 4, a hydraulic cylinder actuator 66, 66a and 66b for moving the water injection mandrels or nozzles 68 downwardly into the tappet holes 12 of theblock. The mandrels are each connected to a manifold pipe 70 which supplies the flow of rinse preferably include a rubber sealing portion 72 on each mandrel for sealingly engaging the 'tappet holes 12. FIG.

8 shows the mandrels 68 of both assemblies 62 and 64 inserted into the tappet holes of block 32. Assemblies 62 and 64 are each provided with a plugging mechanism of the type indicated in FIG. 4 at 74 for plugging oil passages 14 and 16 shown in FIG. 1. Each of the "plugging mechanisms 74 of the type shown in'FIG. 4 will also be hydraulically actuated by an appropriate hydraulic cylin-- der 76 so as to extend toward block 32 and plug openings 14 and 1.6, respectively, when placed into operation. Plugging mechanisms 74; will of course move independent 1y of assemblies 62 and 64 since they will not necessarily be lowered to the block at the same time asmandrels 68.

e The operational sequences of the apparatus willibe described in connectionyvith FIG. 9 specifically. Operas tion is initiated when an engine block 32 is' placed on corn veyor 30. The operationinitiates movement of the conveyor to move the block to the predetermined position between walls 34 and 36 discussed hereinabove. When the block is properly positioned over the air jets 38 the pressure sensitive switch or Engine'Block Positioned Indicator Means as indicated in the diagram, provides a signal to the timer mechanism indicating that the block is properly positioned for initiating of the flush action. The timer mechanism activates the Hydraulic Mandrels Control Mechanism, lowering the mandrel assembliesfiz and 64 into the tappet holes 12 as discused hereinabove. When these assemblies are positioned, a suitably posi: tioned limit switch is closed indicating that the rinse water may be turned on or automatically turning it on. This may also be accomplished by the timer mechanism which may turn on the water for the first flushing stage. The timer turns the water off after a fixed amount of time.

After the first stage of the'timer times out the timer mechanism activates Plugging Mechanism No. 1 which causes plug mechanism number .40 to move inwardly blocking pasages 18 and 20,'right and left lugmechabypass mechanism 54 to move to openings 26 and 26b.

Again a suitably positioned limit switch arrangementindicates proper positioning of these plugging mechanisms and the timing mechanism turns the water flow control on to initiate the next flush stage which lasts for a fixed time interval. Upon timing out, of the timer again, the timer activates Plugging Mechanism N0. 3 which moves main bearing bar or mandrel 48 into the crankshaft bore of the block plugging all of the openings 28 therein and the water flow control is again activated by the timer for the last fixed flushing interval. Following the last timing out of the timer mechanism, all of the plugging mechanisms are retractedythe rinse water is turned 0 and the conveyor is automatically"activated to move the next block into' the flushing position. Having described the invention, exclusive rightsthereto are claimed as follows:

1. The method "of flushing the oil pasa'ges ofan engine galleries for a fixed time interval again.

(C) introducing the fiow'of cleaning fluid into the oil 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the following additional steps are included,

(D) plugging additional oil pasage openings in the block, and

(E) introducing the flow of cleaning fluid into the oil galleries for a last fixed time interval.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid is pressurized at about 150 psi.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein a bypass means is placed in contact with the oil pad of the block in step (D).

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid is introduced into the oil galleries by supplying it through all of the tappet holes of the block simultaneously.

6. The method according to claim 2 wherein each of the rinsing step (A), (C) and (E) are maintained for about seconds to a minute.

7. Apparatus for rinsing the oil passage of an engine block, comprising:

(A) means for receiving the block and holding it in a fixed rinse position,

(B) means for introducing rinse fluid into the oil galleries of the block,

(C) rinsing fluid control means for supplying fluid to the fluid introducing means and (D) movable plug means for plugging at least some of the openings of the oil passages in the block.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means of paragraph (B) comprises water manifold means including a plurality of mandrels adapted for simultaneous insertion into the tappet holes of the block to supply rinsing fluid thereto under pressure.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

the means for receiving the block and positioning it comprises a conveyor and an enclosure arrangement having at least two walls, one to the front and one to the rear of the block.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

the movable plug means comprises a plurality of separately operable plug mechanisms disposed about the area in which the block is positioned for support with openings in the block located in predetermin'ed sections thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 including (A) timer means for actuating and deactuating the fluid control means in several rinse stages, and

(B) plug control means actuated by the timer means for moving each of the plug mechanisms to plug certain oil passage openings at certain stages of the rinsing operation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,912,990 11/1959 Wilson 134-103 3,081,785 3/1963 Lonardo 92172 3,423,241 1/1969 Manzi 13422 R 2,216,698 10/1940' Arey 134-167 R X 2,835,234 5/1958 Rasch 13423 OTHER REFERENCES Heldt P. M.: High-Speed Combustion Engines, 1948 Heldt, Nyack, N.Y., pp. 131, 149-157.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner D. LOVERCHECK, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

29-Dig. 7; 13422 R, 24, 34, 36, 168 R, 169 A; 141- 89, 91; 184-1.5; 408708 

